On Medicaid expansion, 50 percent of those polled approved of the idea.

For Scott, those numbers are gold, especially considering how much voters are rejecting his overall performance as governor. Just 36 percent of voters approve of Scott’s handling of his job. About 49 percent dissapprove.

Those are incredibly low numbers when compared Scott’s predecessor at this point in his first term. In April 2009, then Gov. Charlie Crist had a 66 percent approval rating with just 23 percent disapproving.

Crist was then a Republican and now says he is considering running for governor again as a Democrat.

If he does, the Quinnipiac Poll shows him with an advantage over Scott at the very start of a potential battle with Scott. According to the poll, Crist beats Scott 50 percent to 34 percent if the election were held today.

The good news for Scott supporters is that the election isn’t today. With 19 months until election day, the improving state economy coupled with Scott’s expected financial advantage (he’s been reported to be ready to spend $100 million of his own money on his campaign), could still help him narrow that gap.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
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Last modified: March 20, 2013
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